Princess Cruises has unveiled a new pricing offer for the wave season, which combines a new lead-in fare with a low deposit, plus the option to add a “simplified” onboard package.
The offer, which runs from December 20 to March 2, 2020, applies to all 1,500 of Princess’s future cruises up to April 2022.
Prices lead in at £499 per person, with a £50 low deposit available.
For the first time, guests can add an onboard savings package for £35 per person per day, which includes premium drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities worth more than £70.
The package is commissionable for agents and can be added to retail and net fares. It can also be added to existing bookings.
Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice-president for the UK and Europe, said: “This is a simple offer for agents to understand and get behind. It’s effectively two promotions – the great price and low deposit, or the great price, low deposit and onboard package.
“We want to be easy to do business with and reward agents for working with Princess Cruises, which is why we have made all elements commissionable.”
Princess Cruises offers Wi-Fi as part of a savings package following the upgrade of a number of its ships to MedallionNet, which incorporates “next‑generation onboard technology to allow fast, reliable and unlimited” connectivity.
The 3,080-passenger Crown Princess will next year sail round-trip from Southampton to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and northern Europe between May and November.
The 2,200-berth Island Princess will sail out of Southampton to northern Europe from June to October.
Roberts said: “We have always had a very strong Wave offer, but we wanted to give additional choice. So as well as a great price, we have added in this great value offer on things that we know our customers want on our cruises.
“And we have made it really simple to buy. We’ve not put any restrictions on it or complexity into how you buy it.
“It’s about providing the things that our guests engage with in an accessible way.”
“Ocean Medallion technology is one thing that has removed friction and enhanced our guests’ experience on board, and not having to think about gratuities, or buying a Wi-Fi package for your sailing – and when you order your drink with your Medallion, knowing it’s already paid for in your drinks package, improves it further.
“We really believe this will resonate with our guests and we will have a great Wave period as a result.”